Thursday, October 16, 2008 - 2:59 PM MST | Modified: Thursday, October 16, 2008 - 3:16 PM
Napolitano could be Obama’s homeland security chief

Phoenix Business Journal - by Mike Sunnucks

Napolitano could be appointed head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if Obama defeats U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., according to sources familiar with the situation.

DHS was created after the 9/11 hijackings. It is an agency with large responsibilities and sweeping powers, including airport security, border and customs enforcement, emergency management, surveillance and anti-terrorism endeavors.

The Arizona governor has been mentioned as a possible Obama cabinet secretary, possibly filling U.S. Attorney General or Interior secretary posts, if the Chicago Democrat becomes president.

Napolitano was a fairly early backer of Obama in his Democratic primary race against U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

Napolitano has been Arizona governor since 2003. She previously served as Arizona Attorney General and was U.S. Attorney for Arizona under former president Bill Clinton. She has experience dealing with border and immigration issues, including support for President Bush’s program to put National Guard troops on the Mexican border.

Napolitano has limited national security experience. She has been active on border security matter and did dispatch state National Guard troops to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in 2003 in response to terrorist threats against the plant, which is west of Phoenix.

Napolitano spokeswoman Jeanine L’Ecuyer said Napolitano has not had any discussions with Obama regarding the homeland security slot.

L'Ecuyer said Napolitano "loves her job as governor."

Speculation has increased that Napolitano will take a post in the Obama cabinet. That would leave Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer, a Republican, as governor.


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